Restaurants - Nags Head
When visitors to Nags Head ask about the best place to eat, locals may hesitate. Don’t worry. It has nothing to do with the food served here. It’s because their brain immediately floods with countless choices from casual cooking to creative cuisine.
You can pick up a scrumptious deli sandwich and picnic on the beach or dine in award-winning restaurants. As the popular saying goes, “It’s all good.” Naturally you’ll discover plenty of seafood selections varying from traditional fried fish with slaw to tuna-, crab- and eel-filled Japanese dragon rolls. Warm up with Hatteras clam chowder, savor mesquite grilled tuna or fill up on steamers. Meat lovers will appreciate the local barbecue haunts and plentiful prime rib specials. From pizza to lobster, you’ll satisfy any morning, noon or night craving. Dining attire is your choice. It’s not unusual for casual clothing to be worn in fine dining establishments. This is the beach after all!
Remember that locals call Croatan Highway—aka U.S. Highway 158—The Bypass, and they refer to Virginia Dare Trail—aka N.C. Highway 12—as the Beach Road. Those simple names are just easier to remember!
Basnight’s Lone Cedar
- 7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-5405
This Outer Banks landmark is where you’ll find many a local eating every night, so you know the food must be really good. This is also North Carolina’s favorite senator’s stomping ground. Senator Pro Tem Marc Basnight is known to greet customers at this family restaurant, and daughters Vicki and Caroline and manager Ron are also there to make sure your dining experience is exactly what you expected. This restaurant is at the top of the list of many locals’ favorite spots. The service is genuinely friendly, and the portions are more than generous. You’ll enjoy the vast views of the sound. Basnight’s serves lunch Thursday through Sunday and dinner daily during the season with a more limited schedule in the off-season. They feature local, fresh seafood—cleaned here—vegetarian dishes, pasta and steaks. The dedication to freshness includes their own herb garden. They also serve local produce and pork as well as free-farmed chicken. And you will marvel at their incredible wine cooler (well, it’s a room, really) featuring hundreds of bottles of wine. This accompanies a roomy bar area that allows smoking where you can also order from the full menu. Live entertainment is a welcomed addition to the fun in this space. They close December 31 and reopen for Valentine’s Day with seasonal hours. Basnight’s also offers off-premise catering.
Fatboyz Ice Cream & Grill
- 7208 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-6514
This popular take-out food and ice cream stand serves up an array of ice cream concoctions—shakes, sundaes, cones—as well as traditional hamburgers, fresh fish sandwiches, salads, fries, onion rings and more. The ice cream is absolutely delectable! You can eat on-site at a handful of tables on the side deck. If you’re a veggie burger aficionado, get one here with all the fixings. And the owner makes very popular ice cream cakes for special occasions.
Front Porch Cafe
- 2707 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-6616
The Front Porch Cafe is a traditional community coffeehouse with deliciously fresh roasted coffee. The aroma will greet you when you step inside, and you can even watch as the coffee is roasted in this location. They serve an array of specialty coffee drinks, teas and chai. Fresh pastries and cakes are baked on site, like croissants, muffins, cinnamon buns and turnovers. A wide variety of whole bean coffees are for sale. The interior of this coffee shop is unique, with artwork from coffee-producing countries across the globe and a hand-painted mural by local artist Elizabeth Kays. This is a great place to hang out, open year round with free wireless Internet access, extended summer evening hours and a community bulletin board with local news and events. The Front Porch has two other locations, one in Kill Devil Hills at MP 6 and their new store in Manteo on the main highway.
Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern
- 2316 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4116
Kelly’s is an Outer Banks fine dining favorite serving beef, chicken, pasta, vegetarian dishes and of course seafood, including raw bar selections. You will enjoy their signature Sweet Potato Biscuits, featured in Gourmet Magazine and savored by the thousands. Kelly’s offers three different menus including one for children and lighter fare in the tavern. They will seat you for dinner until 10 p.m., so you won’t have to sacrifice having a good meal just because it’s late. You’ll want to save room for their delicious, fresh, homemade desserts. There is a separate yet full-service bar that presents nightly entertainment. You can reserve space for a private party in any of their rooms, including the tavern, or you can hire them for top-notch catering with or without wait staff service if you’d rather do it yourself and just enjoy their food. Kelly’s is open for dinner and entertainment year round, and the tavern is one of the top hot spots of the Outer Banks, attracting some of big names in the music industry. So if you want to see and be seen, put this one on your list.
Millers Waterfront Restaurant
- 6916 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-6151
One of the few soundfront restaurants on the beach, Miller’s serves lunch and dinner daily, which allows you ample time to enjoy the view. They can handle families and large parties and have a varied menu with fresh local seafood, steaks, chicken and creative salads and pastas. The kitchen prepares unique specials every day. They really do have one of the best sunset views, and you can have fun watching windsurfers and kiteboarders during the day or enjoying music and a cocktail in the evening. They have a pier and gazebo, which are a big hit too.
Pamlico Jack’s
- 6708 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-2637
After an extensive remodel that has them re-opening in June ‘09, Pamlico Jack’s has converted the old Penguin Isle to a casual restaurant experience with a pirate theme that’s fun for all. They’ve added tremendous deck space, some covered, to take advantage of the beautiful soundfront location and sunset views. The owner, head chef and management staff hasn’t changed, and they still serve many of your favorite entrees from Penguin Isle, a coastal fusion-style showcasing lots of mesquite-grilled selections. Enjoy certified Angus beef, Gulf Stream fish and homemade pasta selections like shrimp and pasta marinara. They’ve also added a number of smaller plates and lighter fare such as delicious sandwiches, salads and wraps. Arrive before 6 p.m. to catch their early dining specials. They offer more than 400 different bottles of wine and will carry on with the legacy of being the Winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 20 years in a row. Pamlico Jack’s specializes in rehearsal dinners and weddings and can accommodate large gatherings—whether it’s your entire extended family for dinner or a 250-person party. A kid’s menu is available. Open for dinner nightly, they do accept reservations and will be open March through December. Join them for entertainment three nights a week in their Pirate Ship outdoor bar.
Sooey’s BBQ and Rib Shack
- 3919 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 12.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 449-6465
Sooey’s BBQ and Rib Shack specializes in authentic Eastern North Carolina pork barbecue, slow-smoked ribs, sliced beef brisket, pulled barbecue chicken and Southern fried chicken. All the favorite homemade sides are here, too, including potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, corn bread, onion rings and killer hushpuppies. Appetizers, wings, burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and kids’ favorites are also available. You can sit down and eat in the restaurant, but Sooey’s also excels at take-out, prepared family meals and catered events; call ahead for large orders. Beer and wine are served.
South Beach Grille
- 6806 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-9913
With a truly affordable menu consisting of local seafood, lots of signature salads, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, pasta dinners, prime rib and terrific homemade desserts, South Beach Grille is a great new place to eat on the beach this year. They offer beer and wine, but the “Tea Bar” is a great idea, serving a wide variety of hot, cold and flavored teas plus smoothies and specialty drinks. Next door is the South Beach Shop, chock-full of gifts and clothing as well as sno-cones and ice cream.
Sugar Creek Soundfront Seafood Restaurant
- 7340 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-4963
Sugar Creek has been serving the freshest seafood available to locals and visitors for years, and now they have expanded to offer even more waterfront dining. The views of Sugar Creek and the Roanoke Sound are incredible. The outdoor walkways and decks on the property are great for strolling along and viewing the resident wildlife. Before dinner, enjoy a drink from their outdoor gazebo bar. The fresh tuna, shrimp and scallops are expertly prepared at Sugar Creek and keep seafood lovers happy. Also on the menu are favorites like steaks, prime rib, chicken, ribs, pasta, salads, soups, burgers and sandwiches. They have a children’s menu. The newly expanded dining room can easily accommodate large parties and special events like rehearsal dinners or other parties. Sugar Creek serves lunch and dinner daily in season and is open from March through December. Check out The Sugar Shack, located next door, for great take-out seafood and a quick bite. See Shopping for more information.
Tale of the Whale
- 7575 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-7332
Tale of the Whale is a soundfront restaurant with calming views from the airy, windowed dining room. Every seat has a view of the water. You can enjoy entrees including seafood, pasta, steaks, chicken and prime rib. They make their own desserts and have a full bar. Early bird specials start at 5 p.m. During the season, sit outside on their deck and enjoy a cocktail. There’s often live music on the waterfront gazebo; call for more details. Recent renovations to this classic Outer Banks restaurant offer even better views of the Roanoke Sound, and they have an excellent space for private events that can accommodate more than 200 people. Tale of the Whale is open for dinner daily in the summer; call ahead for off-season hours.
The Dunes Restaurant
- 7018 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road and The Bypass, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-1600
The Dunes is a local favorite, and their double dining rooms weren’t quite enough room, so they did a nice expansion and remodel this year. You will still enjoy hearty breakfasts from the menu or a filling buffet. Lunch includes sandwiches, salads, fresh seafood and daily specials. Dinners feature seafood, steak, chicken and pasta selections. Ask about their all-you-can-eat nightly specials. Enhance your meal with a glass of beer or wine. They have an excellent children’s menu and are a non-smoking establishment.
Tortuga’s Lie Shellfish Bar and Grille
- 3014 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 11
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-RAWW
The island interior and good food make Tortuga’s a local favorite. There are lots of healthy options here with Caribbean-inspired seafood and vegetarian options. Chow down on a variety of dishes including tuna bites, burritos, fresh steamed seafood and pasta. And, if there’s a special salad, take our word for it and order it. Tortugas has a sushi night on Wednesdays. They roll sushi late night in the summer and during regular dinner hours in the off-season. There is a full bar, and Tortuga’s is smoke-free. Be sure to check out the beach volleyball court in the back! They are open daily for lunch and dinner with the hours changing in the winter.
Applebee’s
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-3652
You’re probably already familiar with the affordable and delicious food Applebee’s serves. They have Southwestern cuisine, salads, soups, sandwiches, steaks and seafood on the menu. A full bar keeps the atmosphere lively. Applebee’s is open for lunch and dinner year round.
Beach Road Grill
- 2519 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-2228
Offering lunch and dinner year round, the Beach Road Grill’s menu features steamed seafood, wraps, sandwiches, soups and salads. The cozy atmosphere is a local favorite for a delicious, casual meal. Favorite appetizers include coconut shrimp, build-your-own quesadillas and stuffed jalapenos. The chef whips up daily lunch and dinner specials. Beach Road Grill has a full bar, and they offer live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights all year long.
Blue Moon Beach Grill
- 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Surfside Plaza, The Beach Road, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (252) 261-BLUE
The Blue Moon Beach Grill is in their own words “a quirky, fun-filled dining experience,” and we couldn’t agree more, except to add the descriptions delicious, friendly and affordable. Family owned by Scott and Melissa Shields, they serve a great mix of the best of both beach fare and Southern comfort food like Caribbean pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp and grits. They were new in February but word on the street with the locals is that this one will be around for a long time. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, and be sure to check out their “howl at the moon” specials daily. Wine and beer are served, and some outside seating is available. They have a nice kids menu too.
Carolina Pizza
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 480-9299
Carolina Pizza offers pizza, subs, salads and chicken wings year round with free delivery within a specific area.
Country Deli
- 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Surfside Plaza, The Beach Road, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-5684
This year-round take-out deli features lunch and dinner selections including a variety of sumptuous sandwiches such as grilled cheese and steak sandwiches. To quench your thirst, they also have a good selection of bottled beverages. Delivery is available and free within a specific area.
Dirty Dick’s Crab House
- 2407 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 449-CRAB
Dirty Dick’s is a fun-loving restaurant that serves up seriously good food. This year they moved to a new location that just opened in the Spring of ‘09 at the site of the old Slammin’ Sammy’s. The menu pays homage to New Orleans and Louisiana cuisine, with dishes such as seafood gumbo and Po Boys, but it also offers a vast array of classic seafood favorites, including the biggest variety of crab preparations we’ve ever seen. Steaks, chicken, pork, burgers, ribs, salads, unusual sides and appetizers and sandwiches round out the offerings. There are also locations in Avon and Hatteras. Check out their popular T-shirts and other merchandise.
Dune Burger Inc.
- 7308 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-2441
At Dune Burger you can enjoy fast food-style favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, French fries and ice cream. What could be better in the summertime? This is a to-go stop only, but they do have a few picnic tables outside if you’d like to eat it there. Dune Burger is open for lunch and dinner from March to Thanksgiving.
Dunkin’ Donuts
- 2424 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 489-4808
Visit their two locations on the Bypass for coffee, breakfast sandwiches and of course…donuts. Hey, they’re open 24-hours for you die-hards!
Grits Grill
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 449-2888
Grits Grill serves up breakfast foods all day along with huge fluffy biscuits and all the eggs, bacon and grit combinations you can imagine. They also have lunch standards such as hamburgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. They’re open year round from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Harbor Point Grill & Pizzeria
- 5000 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Mall, The Bypass, MP 14
- Nags Head
- (252) 261-6800
Harbor Point offers a late night menu, Sunday brunch and everything else you’d want including sub sandwiches, pasta, pizza and prime rib. They offer free delivery within a specific area.
I Love Coffee
- 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Surfside Plaza, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (251) 715-0116
Situated on the beach road in the historic part of Nags Head, I Love Coffee has all the hot and cold, frozen and blended coffee drinks you can imagine. With a mixologist’s array of syrups, they have many creative concoctions to warm you up or cool you down. Eric also offers Breyer’s hand-dipped ice cream (because Breyer’s is made with just cream and sugar, no artificial ingredients), and reverse osmosis filtered water for your coffee or to drink. Regulars are encouraged to bring their own mugs and will receive a discount if they do. His coffee beans are artisan roasted in Virginia, and the free Wi-Fi and a friendly atmosphere sweeten an already sweet deal.
Jockey’s Ribs
- 3948 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 13
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-1141
Yummy barbecue, ribs, spicy wings, chicken, steaks, chops and seafood make for stick-to-your-ribs hearty dinners. Lighter fare includes soup, sandwiches and appetizers. A kid’s menu is available.
Kentucky Fried Chicken / Taco Bell
- 7328 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Bypass, MP 16.5
- Nags Head
- (252) 441-3028
Grab a bucket of tried and true Kentucky Fried Chicken or some tacos and burritos and head to the beach. The ocean is just across the street! This restaurant is two in one, so it makes pleasing the entire family a breeze.
